Sunday, May 6, 2012

69. MONEY on OLD PHILIPPINE CIGARETTE WRAPPERS

Tobacco history in the Philippines is intertwined with
wealth and money. During the Spanish colonial times the tobacco monopoly successfully raised
revenues for the government and made Philippine tobacco famous all
over Asia. The government exported the
tobacco to other countries and also part of it to the cigarette and cigar factories in
Manila.

Among the non-food crops, tobacco is the most widely
grown commercially, thus, contributing a sizable amount to the economy. Up to
now tobacco continues to dominate the agricultural, economic, social and
political life in the region’s growing it. The tobacco industry is a major
force in the development of these areas especially in Ilocos and Cagayan, which became a source of power and money for those who control it.

This is the reason why we would see money designs on some
of the turn-of-the-century cigarette wrappers.
As a numismatist (collector of coins and banknotes) I love to see the artistry
incorporating our money with the design of these vintage cigarette labels.

DOS NINOS - BETIS PAMPANGA featuring the Philippine coinage during the American period

SALAPI NG FILIPINAS cigarette wrapper with patriotic poem

MONEDA FILIPINA cigarette wrapper. featuring a lady with a hammer and an bald eagle on American shield which is similar to the design of US Philippine coinage. Philippine artist Melecio Figueroa was enlisted to provide
the designs for the coinage, creating a a standing woman design for the silver
denomination coins, which have been modeled on his daughter Bianca.

MONEDA FILIPINA Cigarette Wrapper. Similar to the design on top with some color and graphic variations.

The U.S. - Filipinas coins were designed by Melecio Figueroa, a Filipino
'artist living in California, and struck in the U.S. Bureau of the
Mint. The silver coins minted between 1903 and 1912 were made of
silver.

MANIAMAN Simeon Roque. Featuring the US Philippines 5 centavos and the design is similar to the 10 Pesos BPI banknote.

Bank of the Philippine Islands 10 Pesos banknote.

5 Centavos US-Philippine coin with a seated man and volcano at the background. This was also designed by Melecio Figueroa.

US Morgan Silver Dollar. The coin is named after its designer, United
States Mint Assistant Engraver George T. Morgan. The obverse depicts a profile
portrait representing Liberty, while the reverse depicts an eagle with wings
outstretched.

wow.. this is what i call a collection! btw am the owner of the world thru postcards. thanks for linking to my blog. i envy your old postcard collection. id love to see and share our passion of anything filipiniana..

Hi filipino deltiologist, I have been following your blog, like you I am a postcard collector. I have posted some of my PCs here in this site. I would like to share more cards in the future. Thanks for stopping and appreciating my collection. Ed

I wish I had followed your blog sooner! This collection is awesome. How did cigarette boxes (?) look like, how were these labels placed on them? Interesting packaging, I must say. Anyway good job! Following this blog from now on. :)